WOMEN'S BASKETBALL DROPS NINTH CONFERENCE GAME AGAINST ALBERTUS MAGNUS COLLEGE, 81-61

The Mount Ida Women’s Basketball team lost this past Saturday on the road against Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) opponent Albertus Magnus College. MIC drops their ninth in the GNAC for a league record of 2-9 and 6-18 overall.

The first half started with the Falcons taking an early six point advantage in the opening four minutes. The Mustangs would then go ahead 21-14 with seven minutes left to play their biggest of the half. The first stanza was a well fought battle as neither team could break away and build a substantial lead over the other. Neither team could find a hot hand with the Mustangs shooting 37 percent while the hosts only managed 27 percent. At the halftime buzzer the score was 34-27 in favor of Mount Ida.

The story of the night for Albertus Magnus was their turn around offensively in the second half. The Falcons only shot 27% in the first half and scored 27 points. With a shooting percentage of 53% from the field and 54% from beyond the arc, the Falcons buried the Mustangs with basket after basket and scored 54 second half points. MIC was only able to retain their seven point halftime lead three minutes in to the second set as their lead quickly evaporated. Halfway through the second stanza the Mustangs looked up at the scoreboard and saw the Falcons had pulled ahead by a game high 23 with no chance of a comeback with six minute remaining in the contest. Mount Ida would be handed their ninth conference loss of the season while the home team would clinch their third GNAC victory winning 81-61.

Sophomore Cherie Parisi (South Attleboro, MA/Attleboro) played a great all around game for the Mustangs with a double-double as well on 18 points and 15 rebounds. Mount Ida showcased a balanced attack from Elise McLear (Swansea, MA/Case) and Nicole Casimiro (Lee, NH/Oyster River). Casimiro finished the game with nine points and nine rebounds as McLear added eight points and three rebounds. Senior Lauren Hickey (Enosburg Falls, VT/Richford) finished with 18 points and six rebounds with a great overall performance. Senior Jamie Hurd (Gloversville, NY/Gloversville) had four points and five rebounds while Junior Ashley Cirillo (Gloversville, NY/Gloversville) pitched in with four points and four rebounds.

Nikki McClease (New Haven, CT/Wilbur Cross) lead the charge for AMC. McClease finished with 27 points and 19 rebounds for impressive double-double.

Mount Ida finishes up the regular season Saturday February 23 against Suffolk University at the Mount Ida Athletic Center at 1:00 p.m.